School segregation, a youth page and Nisei in Hawaii and Washington

Vol. 63, No. 15, October 7, 1966. 6 pages. View this issue

School segregation and civil rights ran through this six-page issue. California prepared its first statewide racial census of students and employees in public schools, a United Civil Rights Council charged the Los Angeles school district with de facto segregation, and an editorial on the census recalled JACL’s support for the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Mike Masaoka wrote about school prayer and about the committee posts held by Congresswoman Patsy Mink and Congressman Sparky Matsunaga, who each drew more than 100,000 votes in Hawaii’s primary. Allan Beekman reported on that vote.

The issue also carried a new youth page edited by Misako Hasebe, with reports on the first National Junior JACL convention from Tritia Toyota, Brian Morishita and Russ Obana. Elsewhere: Jerry Enomoto’s column, Bill Hosokawa on 40 years of Salvation Army service, and plans for a Military Intelligence Service reunion in San Francisco on November 11-13.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Youth Matters, by Jerry Enomoto, page 1. National President Jerry Enomoto reports on the National Youth Program presentation to the Sacramento Chapter and welcomes Mike Suzuki’s return to active JACL youth work. He also argues that chapters must be vigorous and healthy to sustain effective Junior JACL units.
• Committees of Importance to Nisei Given Congressmen Mink, Matsunaga, by Mike Masaoka, page 1. Mike Masaoka urges Mainland supporters to contribute to the reelection campaigns of Sparky Matsunaga and Patsy Mink. He notes their key committee assignments that affect Japanese Americans in agriculture, civil service, and education.
• School Prayer, by Mike Masaoka, page 2. Masaoka reports that a constitutional amendment permitting school prayer and a civil rights cloture motion both failed in the Senate in September. He explains the Supreme Court rulings against school-sponsored prayer and the reasons Japanese American and Buddhist groups supported the separation of church and state.
• 40 Years of Service, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Bill Hosokawa honors Brigadier Ainosuke Ichida and Mrs. May Ichida, who retired from the Salvation Army after 40 years of service. He recalls the Ichidas’ work running the Salvation Army Fresh Air Camp for Seattle Nisei youth.
• Ambassador’s Maiden Speech: Japan and Asian Progress, by U. Alexis Johnson, page 3. U. Alexis Johnson, the ambassador-designate to Japan, outlines the extensive official and nongovernmental ties between the United States and Japan in his first public address. He reviews progress in Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia as signs of a stabilizing Asia.
• Here We Are!, by Misako Hasebe, page 4. Junior JACL editor Misako Hasebe introduces the new youth page and invites chapters to share their activities. She notes recent contacts with Alan Kumamoto and Scott Shiraga about the page and a possible Fresno Junior JACL chapter.
• By the Board: The Golden Rule, by Dr. Dave Miura, page 5. Dr. Dave Miura urges JACL members to assume good intentions in others and to criticize constructively. He offers four rules for handling criticism within the organization.
• Cain’s Quarter: Editorial on School Segregation, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial welcomes California’s school census as a sensible approach to measuring de facto segregation and notes JACL’s support for the 1964 Civil Rights Act. It acknowledges the emotional debate over busing and integration in the schools.
• An Ordeal for San Francisco, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The editorial reviews the racial rioting in San Francisco’s Western Addition and Mayor John Shelley’s candid criticism of discriminatory labor unions. It credits the mayor’s efforts to calm the unrest despite long-standing progress on minority rights.
• Letters: Evacuation Theme for 1967 Convention, by Hiro Mayeda; Clifford I. Uyeda, page 6. Two readers support Dr. Masumi Toyotome’s suggestion to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Evacuation in 1967. Midwest District Governor Hiro Mayeda explains that the joint EDC-MDC convention in Chicago will adopt the theme ‘A Quarter Century After…’.

National

• State Chamber Against Easing Voter Eligibility, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The California Chamber of Commerce opposed Proposition 15, which would let naturalized Issei be registered to vote without facing the literacy test. The measure was on the November 8 ballot.
• U.S. Supreme Court Commences 1966 Term, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Supreme Court opened a term expected to be its busiest, with pending petitions on church property tax exemptions, anti-miscegenation laws, and California’s Proposition 14. JACL has long opposed anti-miscegenation laws and has joined the Loving case challenge.
• White and Negro vs. Orientals, by P.C. Staff, page 1. James Meredith told audiences in Vancouver that Black and white races must unite against China, and he defended violence as a legitimate tactic in the Negro struggle. He was booed at UBC when he defended U.S. policy in Vietnam.
• Racial Census in Public Schools, by P.C. Staff, page 1. California will conduct its first statewide census of the racial makeup of students and employees in public schools as a step against de facto segregation. The Commission on Equal Opportunities in Education will ask districts to eliminate segregation where it is found.
• De Facto Segregation in L.A. Schools Charged by United Civil Righters, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The United Civil Rights Council charged the L.A. City School District with failing to comply with state and federal rules on de facto segregation, citing unequal teacher placement and facilities. The group asked state and federal authorities to investigate and challenge the district’s eligibility for federal funds.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei G-2 Exploits Still Classified, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Col. Sidney Mashbir confirmed that official accounts of Nisei intelligence work in the Pacific remain restricted by the Army. Southern California MIS veterans plan to ask Washington to lift the classification before the November MIS reunion in San Francisco.
• Nisei G-2 Welcome at Nov. 11 Reunion, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Naval, ASTP, and civilian personnel who served in Pacific military intelligence are expected to join the 25th anniversary MIS reunion in San Francisco on November 11-13. Specific reunion events and committee chairmen were announced.

Community

• L.A. School Count Reaches 758,000, by P.C. Staff, page 1. First-week enrollment in Los Angeles city schools reached 758,651, up 25,462 from the previous year. Superintendent Jack Crowther expects the district to pass 794,000 students.
• Mink, Matsunaga Poll Over 100,000 in Hawaiian Primaries, by Allan Beekman, page 1. Congresswoman Patsy Mink and Congressman Sparky Matsunaga each drew more than 100,000 votes in Hawaii’s October 1 primary. Seventy of 78 Nisei candidates advanced, and Tom Gill defeated Kenneth Brown for lieutenant governor nomination.
• Eileen Suyama: Singer, by Elmer Ogawa, page 1. Seattle singer Eileen Suyama, who began with a teen band and later performed at the Colony, chose to finish her university degree before pursuing a show business career. Her mentor and fellow singer Pat Suzuki advised her to complete college first.
• Chicago Car Wash Project Cleans Up $192, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Chicago Junior JACL raised $192.65 through a car wash fundraiser. The proceeds went to their scholarship fund.
• Idaho Falls JAYs Cite Top Students, by Dianne Nishioka, page 4. The Idaho Falls JAYs recognized outstanding students in their community. The group highlighted academic achievement among local youth.
• Berkeley JACL Supports City BART Bond Issue, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The Berkeley JACL was among civic groups backing a $20.5 million bond issue to put BART tracks underground in downtown Berkeley. The measure passed with about 80 percent of the vote.

JACL

• Problem of Finances Dogs Juniors, by Brian Morishita, page 4. Brian Morishita reports that the National Junior JACL has raised dues and chapter assessments, leaving its finances below the adopted budget. He calls on chapters for support as the young organization builds its structure.
• Spokane May Be Next Youth Chapter to Join Pacific Northwest District, by Paul Tamura, page 4. Portland and Mid-Columbia Junior JACLers spent the summer on social events, including a beach outing for 70 youth. The PNW District Youth Council met in Spokane, where interest in forming a new youth chapter was growing.
• Something New, by Tritia Toyota, page 4. Portland Junior JACLer Tritia Toyota describes the first National Junior JACL convention in San Diego and her experience as Miss Jr. JACL. She reflects on the creation of the national youth structure and its potential.
• EDYC Okayed by Two Chapters, by Norman Ishimoto, page 4. Washington, D.C. and Seabrook Junior JACL chapters organized the Eastern District Youth Council in August, pending National Youth Council approval. The article describes the new council’s officers and its constitution emphasizing individual member votes.
• Philadelphia Youth Group Just Blossoming, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A small Philadelphia youth group of six Sansei attended workshops and the San Diego convention. They hosted an EDYC get-together in Lansdale that drew 45 Juniors.
• Under 21 — Russ Obana Column, by Russ Obana, page 4. National Junior JACL Chairman Russ Obana thanks the Interim Youth Council, National Youth Director Alan Kumamoto, and the San Diego chapter for the convention. He urges Junior JACLers to continue building the new national organization.
• School Partnership Plan, by P.C. Staff, page 5. The National Junior JACL adopted the Peace Corps School Partnership as its national youth project, with each chapter contributing $35 toward building a school abroad. Fifteen chapters had met their quotas by the time of the report.

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